A Guide to Country Living

Water, power, sewers and paved roads—these are all things that city dwellers enjoy. But for those who live in the country, the comforts of modern living are not as easy to obtain. People who grow up in the city but move to the country often have no idea what country life is like. They may simply want to think about the open space and green grass that the country provides without realizing the trade-offs.

Building a home or moving into an existing home or farm in a rural area can be quite a challenge for city folk who may be unprepared for gravel road dust, septic systems, mail delivery, and utility problems. To help with some of these challenges and create awareness among new residents, some Iowa counties provide a booklet called "A Guide to Country Living."

What's in It?

The Guide provides information on country-living issues such as utility services, property access and Mother Nature. Here are a few tips from the Guide to Country Living:
• Gravel roads generate dust. You may contract to have a dust control product applied to your road (a permit is required from the County Engineers Office), but dust is still a fact of life for most rural residents.
• It may be necessary to cross property owned by others in order to extend electric service to your property in the most cost efficient manner. It is important to make sure that the proper easements are in place to allow lines to be built to your property.
• If you have a stream that runs through your property, do not assume that there is a government body out there somewhere that has control over it. The maintenance and upkeep of that stream may be the sole responsibility of yours.

Taking the Guide to Heart

The Guide to Country Living is a very useful informational tool for those moving from the city to the country. The issues discussed in the guide help people make knowledgeable decisions about residential growth within a working landscape. In other words, they can know what they're getting into when they move to the country. By being conscious of the challenges and the rewards, residents can make smart decisions about their effect on the landscape.

Web Link

Print or view the Guide to Country Living.

Sources

1. Graeve, Chad. Park Ranger, Hitchcock Nature Area. Interview. Fall 2001.
2. Office of Planning and Development. A Guide to Country Living. (Online.) http:://www.pottcounty.com/brochures.htm. January 2002.

Explore More: Working Landscapes
Copyright 2004, Iowa Public Television
The Explore More project is supported by funds from the
Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust
and the USDE Star Schools Program.